Thousands of children are gearing up to head back to school in a couple of weeks, and some students are figuring out what to wear on the first day of school. For others, they are worried about where they will come up with basic school supplies.

Enter Yolo County Backpacks for Kids, an organization that has strived to provide new backpacks and school supplies to children and schools in need throughout Yolo County.

For the last six years, through donations from residents, businesses and leaders, more than 7,000 children whose families had insufficient resources to buy school supplies have received the necessary materials to start the school year properly.

Today, Friday, Backpacks for Kids is beginning to distribute those supplies, but are asking that donations, such as protractors, children's safety scissors, binders and paper, continue to come in.

Donations may be dropped off at Staples (1770 E. Main St., Woodland), Yolo County 3rd Supervisorial District Office (625 Court St., Room 205, Woodland) and the 2nd Supervisorial District County Office (600 A St., Ste. B, Davis). For more information, visit yolobackpacks.org.

In other Yolo County news, Sting Rayz Marina in Knights Landing (23000 Cranmore Road) is holding The Finney Brothers Road Show beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23. Proceeds from the comedy, magic and dinner show, raffle and auction will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. Tickets for the dinner, show plus a commemorative T-shirt are $45 and are available in Woodland at Kenny's Bar & Grill, Ludy's Main St. BBQ and at Sting Rayz in Knights Landing. For more information and updates, visit facebook.com/stingraysmarina.

A special tribute dinner for Winters food author — and Daily Democrat contributor — Georgeanne Brennan is also scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, at Rancho Gordo (1924 Yajome) in Napa. The meal will be served by members of Legacy Napa Valley, an organization that works with at-risk youths, turning their lives around by giving them attention and opportunities to work and learn. Some of the produce and other products will come straight out of Brennan's Winters garden.

Brennan, who has authored "A Pig in Provence," "The Family Table" and others, will be present. Tickets are $85 and are limited to 55 people. Call (707) 259-1935 for reservations.

Davis author John Lescroat's latest book, "The Keeper," is now available in hardback. "The Keeper" has already been named a New York Times bestseller. The book is available locally at The Avid Reader in Davis and Costco in Woodland's Gateway Shopping Center.

The Yolo County Fair is less than a week away and pre-sale carnival tickets will be available until the day of the fair for $18 at Raley's, Nugget, Bel Air, Yolo Federal Credit Union's Yolo County branches and the Fair office. Opening night Yolo County Bounty Ag Gala tickets are available for $15 until start time at 6 p.m. Wednesday after which they will be $20 at the door.

Lastly, employers in Yolo County have an opportunity to cut employment costs by hiring Yolo County residents through the county's Subsidized Employment Program. This new program incentivizes local employers while assisting eligible low-income job seekers otherwise unable to find employment.

The program reimburses participating employers' eligible employee wages for up to a year through the CalWORKs Employment Services Program.

For more information on the program, call (916) 375-6215 or 661-2750 ext. 6215.

In downtown Woodland news, Poppies Gallery (named after entrepreneur Dora Martin's Chihuahua), has moved from First Street around the corner to 510 Main St. The art gallery and boutique gift shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 665-3666 with questions.

Meanwhile Paco's Mexican Restaurant, which recently switched owners, has some mouth-watering weekday specials. Mondays kids eat free with the purchase of a $10 adult meal. Limit one per adult. On "Toss up Tuesdays" flip a coin, call heads or tails, and if it lands on what you called get a second meal half-off. Limit one per table. Wednesdays, seniors receive 30 percent off their bill with the purchase of a beverage.